EP0468260B1 - Dispositif de coextrusion et procédé utilisant une filière rigide pour faire varier le profil extérieur d'un extrudat tubulaire - Google Patents

Dispositif de coextrusion et procédé utilisant une filière rigide pour faire varier le profil extérieur d'un extrudat tubulaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0468260B1
EP0468260B1 EP91111300A EP91111300A EP0468260B1 EP 0468260 B1 EP0468260 B1 EP 0468260B1 EP 91111300 A EP91111300 A EP 91111300A EP 91111300 A EP91111300 A EP 91111300A EP 0468260 B1 EP0468260 B1 EP 0468260B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
die
stream
extrusion
elastomeric material
annular
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91111300A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0468260A2 (fr
EP0468260A3 (en
Inventor
Dale Alva Tompkins
Richard Walter Sicka
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Bridgestone Firestone Inc
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Bridgestone Firestone Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0468260A3 publication Critical patent/EP0468260A3/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/09—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/36—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die
    • B29C48/49—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die using two or more extruders to feed one die or nozzle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/07—Flat, e.g. panels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/15—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. extrusion moulding around inserts
    • B29C48/151—Coating hollow articles
    • B29C48/152—Coating hollow articles the inner surfaces thereof
    • B29C48/153—Coating both inner and outer surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/16—Articles comprising two or more components, e.g. co-extruded layers
    • B29C48/18—Articles comprising two or more components, e.g. co-extruded layers the components being layers
    • B29C48/21—Articles comprising two or more components, e.g. co-extruded layers the components being layers the layers being joined at their surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/30—Extrusion nozzles or dies
    • B29C48/32—Extrusion nozzles or dies with annular openings, e.g. for forming tubular articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/30—Extrusion nozzles or dies
    • B29C48/32—Extrusion nozzles or dies with annular openings, e.g. for forming tubular articles
    • B29C48/325—Extrusion nozzles or dies with annular openings, e.g. for forming tubular articles being adjustable, i.e. having adjustable exit sections
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/30—Extrusion nozzles or dies
    • B29C48/32—Extrusion nozzles or dies with annular openings, e.g. for forming tubular articles
    • B29C48/335—Multiple annular extrusion nozzles in coaxial arrangement, e.g. for making multi-layered tubular articles
    • B29C48/336—Multiple annular extrusion nozzles in coaxial arrangement, e.g. for making multi-layered tubular articles the components merging one by one down streams in the die
    • B29C48/3366—Multiple annular extrusion nozzles in coaxial arrangement, e.g. for making multi-layered tubular articles the components merging one by one down streams in the die using a die with concentric parts, e.g. rings, cylinders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/36—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die
    • B29C48/475—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die using pistons, accumulators or press rams

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a coextrusion apparatus and method according to the preamble of claim 1 and 9, resp.
  • Tubular components or articles such as pneumatic tire body plies, have previously generally been built by utilizing woven fabric and calendering the same with rubber stock which, when cut to size, entails wrapping the sheet component around a tire building drum and overlapping the ends of the sheet to produce an annulus with a generally axially parallel extending seam.
  • extrusion has been employed in the prior art whereby a tubular extrudate is produced containing reinforcement cords disposed therein.
  • the carcass or first stage body consists of six elements namely, a body ply which is the reinforcing cord and skim, two sidewall bands or annuli, two body ply insert annuli and an inner liner.
  • a body ply which is the reinforcing cord and skim
  • two sidewall bands or annuli two body ply insert annuli
  • an inner liner is formed of a highly air impervious material and is applied to the body ply to provide the barrier for retaining the air within a tubeless pneumatic tire.
  • the particular compound of the inner liner provides such impermeability characteristics.
  • the present invention described below pertains particularly to the formation of the sidewall component or part thereof on the tubular body ply component of the vehicle tire, which also may contain the inner liner thereof when forming a first stage tire, wherein the body ply is extruded as a tubular extrudate and the innerliner, preferably of a permeable characteristic supplied by the inner flow channel is joined with the outer flow channel, the profile of which is varied to form the sidewall component or part thereof at distinct locations on the innerliner portion of the tubular extrudate.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,134,832 discloses a method for extruding articles which comprises an extrusion die having a body and a cylindrical exterior sleeve. A central circular hole is provided and an elastomeric constrictive annulus which defines the extrusion aperture is positioned directly behind a flange. The annulus is held against the interior surface of the flange by a ring. As a gear is turned a follower is screwed into the exterior sleeve, pressing against the ring and annulus so that the annulus can expand inwardly under the compressive force in order to uniformly reduce the size of the hole in the annulus, i.e., reduce the size of the extrusion aperture.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,840,311 discloses an extrusion nozzle for manufacturing a plurality of frozen food type articles.
  • This patent discloses an extrusion chamber having an inlet supply and terminating in an outlet orifice.
  • a flexible wall formed from neoprene rubber can be attached to the casing wall adjacent the outlet in a conventional fashion.
  • Five air cylinders are mounted on a frame which serve to indent a flexible wall so as to vary the shape of the wall and alter the dimensions of the exit orifice.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,940,221 discloses a die with a controllable lower lip opening.
  • a metal die block is provided with a passageway for receiving flowable material which has a lower lip portion and an upper lip.
  • the opening between the lips can be adjusted by moving an elongated metal rod having a head.
  • the metal rod extends through a heater block, so that when the temperature is increased, the elongated rod increases in temperature and expands. A lower end of the heated rod will then be forcibly displaced in an axial direction, to press upon flexible lip and bend downwardly slightly to narrow the gap between the lips and decrease the thickness of the sheet which is being extruded.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,279,857 discloses a shaping nozzle having a core member surrounded by a two part sleeve to define an annular passageway which terminates in an exit passage around an outwardly and downwardly flared central pin or mandrel.
  • An outer fixed ring surrounds an inner, elastic ring which has a substantially crescent shaped interior.
  • a wedge engages an element and an outer ring, and movement of the wedge can determine the shape of the passageway at a given axial position.
  • An axially displaceable piston defines the size of the passageway.
  • An elastic ring having a cylindrical inner surface defines a part of flow passageway. Also, axial displacement of a piston causes movement of a frustoconical surface that defines a wall of the passageway and is capable of changing the thickness and shape of the passageway adjacent the nozzle.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,432,7108 discloses an extrusion head comprising a die core and a casing ring located within a head housing. Each die ring section is axially adjustable by positioning screws so that the lower edge boundary of the die gap will be changed. In this fashion the extruded tube material will have walls of variable thickness at predetermined points and the thickness of the extruded tube will increase or decrease as a result of changes in the outer circumference of the tube while its interior contour remains the same.
  • the die and components thereof be formed of rigid material to enable the extrusion apparatus to have a relatively long operational life eliminating constant repair and replacement of parts due to them being subjected to the high internal pressure and friction of the moving elastomeric streams.
  • An objective of the invention is providing a solution to the noted prior art problem in terms of the apparatus and method by producing a generally tubular elastomeric extrudate in which the outer surface or profile thereof can be varied, especially for use in producing a first stage tire.
  • a further objective of the invention is to provide an extrusion apparatus and method in which the exterior profile of the extrudate, composite or body, can be applied substantially simultaneously with the formation of the tubular body; and in which variations in the outer profile can be abruptly initiated, profiled and terminated with no smearing or contamination of the outer surface of the tubular extrudate by automatically compensating for pressure changes in the elastomeric stream adjacent the extrusion orifice whereby further processing of the tubular composite can be accomplished without harmful effects from any contamination.
  • Still another objective of the invention is to provide such a coextrusion apparatus and method in which filament-type or cord reinforcing elements are introduced into the tubular extrudate, generally, simultaneously with the formation of the tubular extrudate and generally, simultaneously with the applying of the profiled exterior surface on the tubular extrudate.
  • a further objective of the invention is to provide such a coextrusion apparatus and method which will prepare a precise accurate, multi-component composite tubular member, intended primarily for formation of a pneumatic tire, having a profiled exterior surface, whereby the exterior surface can be profiled with different materials than that of the inner surface.
  • a still further objective of the invention is to provide such a coextrusion apparatus and method in which the outer profile preferably has ramped beginning and end configurations, providing a smooth merger with the outer surface of the tubular extrudate, and in which this smooth merger is accomplished by use of an integral one-piece metal die having a pair of oppositely tapered surfaces one of which regulates the annular size of an outer extrusion orifice through which the elastomeric material flows to form the tubular extrudate, and in which the other surface automatically regulates the size of an expansion chamber located adjacent the outer extrusion orifice to maintain the pressure within the elastomeric stream generally constant as it moves through the outer orifice.
  • Still a further objective of the invention is to provide such a coextrusion apparatus and method in which the varying of the outer profile is controlled principally by a metal die having a pair of opposed tapered surfaces which is formed on an end of a hydraulically movable piston which is slideably movable, axially and concentrically along and about the tubular extrudate, and in which the piston is moved by hydraulic pressure that can be accurately controlled by programmable equipment or the like.
  • a still further objective of the invention is to provide such a coextrusion apparatus and method which is of a relatively rugged and durable construction, which can be easily disassembled for repair and maintenance, which can be used with commercially available extruders for receiving the supply of extrudate material, and in which the type of reinforcing elements incorporated therein can vary depending upon the particular tire product desired.
  • a further objective of the invention is to provide such a coextrusion apparatus and method which will prepare a precise accurate multi-component composite tubular member intended primarily for formation of a pneumatic tire having an exterior surface that can be profiled with different materials from that of the inner surface and in which the profile can be accomplished without drool, weeping or smearing of the outer surface and without contamination of a thin coated outer surface of the tubular extrudate; and in which the varying profile has a ramped beginning and a ramped end configuration providing a smooth merger with the outer surface of the tubular extrudate.
  • Coextrusion head 1 includes an outer shell or housing 2 formed with a pair of inlet feed apertures 3 and 4 (FIG. 4), which are adapted to be threadably connected to delivery conduits (not shown) through which separate streams 6 and 7 of elastomeric stock flow from one or more extruders.
  • the elastomeric material flows into individual separate material flow channels 6A and 7A which are formed within the extrusion head for subsequent delivery to the extrusion orifices as described below.
  • the apparatus and means of delivery of the separate streams of elastomeric material within the coextrusion head are similar in many respects to that shown in our prior U.S.
  • Inlet aperture 3 communicates with inner flow channel 6A for directing and guiding inner flow stream 6 of an elastomeric material
  • inlet aperture 4 communicates with flow channel 7A for directing and guiding outer flow stream 7 of an elastomeric material (FIG. 4).
  • Inner stream 6 flows through channel 6A which is formed within shell 2 in a manner similar to that shown in our two patents set forth above, for subsequent discharge through a generally fixed inner annular orifice 10 (FIGS. 4 - 6) formed between the outer annular conical surface 11 of a pin 12 and the annular conical surface 13 of a guide assembly 14.
  • Guide assembly 14 is similar to the guide assembly of previously noted U.S. Patent Nos. 4,578,024 and 4,657,718 and is used for independently directing and accurately positioning a circular array of uniformly spaced, individual reinforcing elements 15 which are located within and extend through individual guide tubes 16.
  • Reinforcing elements 15 generally take the form of filaments, threads, yarns or cords and include natural or synthetic textiles, steel, wire, fiberglass, etc. and are encapsulated within inner and outer streams 6 and 7 of elastomeric material and merge therewith at the junction of the elastomeric streams at an adjustable outer orifice 18.
  • An outer extrusion orifice 18 is located slightly downstream of inner orifice 10 (FIG. 5) and the size thereof is controlled in accordance with the invention to vary the outer profile of a tubular extrudate 19 which is formed by extrusion head 1, as described in greater detail below.
  • Temperature fluid control channels 20 and 21 are formed in shell 2 to permit heating and cooling of the interior and, in particular, to maintain the die assemblies at the desired operating temperatures. These channels are connected to a source of heating and cooling fluid by conduits which extend into threaded apertures 22 and 23 of channel cover plates 24 (FIG. 4). Also, heat exchangers may be mounted top and bottom on the large horizontal surface of shell 2 (not shown) as is well known in the extrusion head art.
  • Pin 12 is fixably mounted within the forward or discharge end of extrusion head 1 by a solid rod 30 which extends coaxially through the hollow interior of tube 26 and has a threaded end 31 which is engaged within an interiorly threaded opening 32 formed in the rear of inner flow channel forming member 29.
  • Pin rod 30 forms an annular space 33 within the interior of tube 26 and provides an annular flow channel portion of inner flow channel 6A.
  • Inner flow channel forming member 29 is connected with an annular outer flow channel forming member 35 by a threaded nut 36 or other attachment means.
  • An outer die assembly indicated generally at 38 includes an annular outer hold ring 39 which is secured in a clamped abutting position with an outer end of shell 2, by a clamping nut 40 and a plurality of adjusting bolts 41. Bolts 41 are threadably engaged within threaded holes 42 formed in the outer end of shell 2.
  • an annular die ring indicated generally at 45 is mounted concentrically about pin 12 and the path followed by tubular extrudate 19, and forms the adjustable annular extrusion orifice 18 with the outer annular surface 47 of pin 12.
  • Die ring 45 is best illustrated in FIG. 6, and includes a main cylindrical body 46 which forms a piston member for hydraulically moving the ring axially with respect to pin 12, and terminates in first and second oppositely tapered surfaces 48 and 49.
  • Die ring 45 preferably is an integral one-piece member formed of metal with the taper of surfaces 48 and 49 being generally equal and with the radius of curvature of tapered surface 48 generally matching the taper of annular surface 47 of pin 12, which surface preferably is conical.
  • Die ring 45 is slideably mounted for axial movement within outer end of hold ring 39 and of an annular housing 51.
  • Housing 51 is threadably attached at 52 to a forward end of hold ring 39 and forms an annular interior hydraulic fluid chamber 53 for effecting movement of die ring 45.
  • a pair of hydraulic ports 55 and 56 are formed in housing 51 for emitting and discharging hydraulic fluid into and from chamber 53 for slideably moving die ring 45 into and out of engagement with an annular housing insert 57.
  • a plurality of O-rings 58 are mounted within complementary shaped annular grooves 59, between die ring body 46 and annular housing 51 and outer hold ring 39 to provide a generally fluid tight relationship for hydraulic chamber 53.
  • a plate 65 (FIG. 5) is mounted by a plurality of rods 66 to the front end of die ring 45 and is attached to the input shaft 67 of a linear encoder 68 or other motion detection device, which is mounted on a bracket 69 for detecting the amount of axial movement of die ring 45.
  • This detection of axial movement of die ring 45 is supplied to a programmable controller or the like, which in turn controls the flow of hydraulic fluid into and from chamber 53 for regulating the size of outer extrusion orifice 18 formed between outer conical surface 47 of pin 12 and the interior surface of tapered conical wall 48, by the axial movement of the die ring as discussed in greater detail below.
  • coextrusion head 1 including shell 2 and the flow channel forming members and reinforcing guide assembly, are well known in the art and form no particular part per se, of the present invention, but are components within which the improvements of this invention are incorporated to form the improved coextrusion apparatus and for carrying out the improved method steps of the invention, in order to vary the outer profile of tubular extrudate 19.
  • FIGS. 5 - 12 The operation of the improved coextrusion apparatus and method steps of the invention is best illustrated in FIGS. 5 - 12.
  • Inner and outer streams of elastomeric composition 6 and 7, respectively, are fed into coextrusion head 1 from extrusion apparatus well known in the art, and move through their respective flow channels 6A and 7A, toward the respective inner and outer extrusion orifices 10 and 18, respectively.
  • die ring 45 is shown at its most axially outward position wherein first tapered conical surface 48 is in its "closed position".
  • a predetermined constant amount of elastomeric material is permitted to flow through inner orifice 10 and be deposited on reinforcing elements 15 to form an inner layer 75 of elastomeric material
  • a constant predetermined amount of elastomeric material is permitted to flow through outer orifice 18 and be deposited on reinforcing elements 15 forming an outer layer 76 of elastomeric material thereon.
  • Elastomeric layers 75 and 76 are extremely thin and provide a covering both internally and externally on reinforcing elements 15 to form tubular extrudate 19.
  • inner flow stream 6 of elastomeric material preferably is of a particular compound to form the inner liner of tubular extrudate 19 and preferably will be of a highly fluid impervious nature to provide the air retention barrier when used in forming a pneumatic tire.
  • Outer elastomeric flow stream 7 usually is formed of a different elastomeric or rubber compound to form the body ply portion of the tubular extrudate.
  • the particular thicknesses of inner and outer elastomeric layers 75 and 76 will vary depending upon the particular application for which tubular extrudate is intended for use.
  • a programmable controller of a type well known in the art is actuated to supply hydraulic fluid into chamber 53 through port 55 causing die ring 45 to move axially inwardly in the direction of arrow A (FIGS. 8 and 9), which will increase the generally radial separation between tapered surface 48 and conical surface 47 of pin 12, thereby increasing the size of outer orifice 18.
  • This movement permits a layer of elastomeric material indicated at 77, to be deposited on the outer layer 76, which will continue to be applied thereto until the desired thickness is achieved as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
  • the programmable controller will introduce hydraulic fluid into port 56 of chamber 53 forcing die ring 45 axially outwardly in the direction of arrow B (FIGS. 11 and 12), whereby tapered surface 48 thereof will move axially toward conical pin surface 47 reducing the size of extrusion orifice 18.
  • This movement continues until reaching the closed position of FIG. 12, in which only the predetermined amount of outer elastomeric layer 76 is flowing through orifice 18 for depositing on reinforcing elements 15 to form tubular extrudate 19.
  • Extrudate 19 will continue to move in the direction of arrow c (FIG. 12), with only the minimum inner and outer coatings being applied to reinforcing elements 15 until another outer profile variation is desired which again is achieved by actuation of cylindrical piston body 46 of die ring 45.
  • second tapered surface 49 of die ring 45 forms a variable expansion chamber 60 in outer flow channel 7A located immediately adjacent inner and outer extrusion orifices 10 and 18, respectively.
  • the movement of second tapered surface 49 in direct relationship with the inward and outward movement of die ring 45 varies the volumetric area at the entrance to extrusion orifice 18 to maintain or achieve the required or desired pressure within the elastomeric material of outer stream 7 adjacent outer extrusion orifice 18.
  • This action of tapered surface 49 for varying the volume of expansion chamber 60 within the elastomeric stream provides for a smooth even discharge flow rate of elastomeric material through outer orifice 18 and onto outer layer 76 of tubular extrudate 19.
  • the movement of die ring 45 will provide for a beginning ramp 79 and an ending ramp 80 for elastomeric layer 77 to provide for a smooth transition with the outer elastomeric layer 76.
  • the terminating portion of the strip of material is placed in shear which provides for the smooth ramped termination at the axial end of layer 77.
  • a stepped shoulder 62 is formed adjacent a smooth axial sliding surface 63 above opposed slanted die ring surfaces 48 and 49.
  • Shoulder 62 provides a stop which abuts housing insert 57 upon die ring 45 reaching its fully open position as shown in FIG. 9. This positive stop determines the maximum thickness of outer layer 77 and can be adjusted by varying the location of shoulder 62 or the axial length of housing insert 57 for predetermined extrusion operations in which the maximum thickness of layer 77 is known and is thereby accurately controlled.
  • the outer cylindrical surface 64 provides a smooth sliding engagement with the cylindrical inner surface 71 of hold ring 39.
  • die ring 45 is described as having a "closed position", it is understood that in certain applications orifice 18 will still permit the flow of elastomeric material therethrough to form a thin outer layer 76. However, for other applications, die ring 45 could completely prevent any flow of elastomeric material through orifice 18 without affecting the concept of the invention. However, when used with reinforcing elements 15, it is desirable that a elastomeric flow continues through the inner and outer orifices for coating of the reinforcing elements with the thicknesses of these two coating layers varying depending upon the particular characteristics desired for the final tubular extrudate.
  • Linear encoder 68 is operatively connected by appropriate control circuitry to a programmable controller well known in the art.
  • Such controlled movement enables the accurate control of the outer die ring 45 for achieving the correct initiation and termination of outer elastomeric layer 77 in coordinated movement with the production of tubular extrudate 19.
  • Other controllers will be provided for controlling the rate of hydraulic fluid entering and leaving fluid chamber 53 through ports 55 and 56 which physically moves die ring 45 axially for varying the size of extrusion orifice 18.
  • a computer or similar equipment preferably is utilized to control the flow rate and pressure of stream 7 as it leaves its external extruder and enters extrusion head 1, as well as controlling the tension of reinforcing elements 15.
  • the flow rate or pressure of incoming stream 7 will determine the thickness of the elastomeric cover or coating on both sides of elements 15.
  • the flow rate of elastomeric stream 7 upon opening and closing of outer extrusion orifice 18, the flow rate of elastomeric stream 7 will be correspondingly increased by the computer control as the die opens and decreased as the die closes to provide a uniform flow rate and pressure of material through orifice 18.
  • the thickness of outer layer 77 is determined in part by controlling the flow rate or pressure imparted on incoming stream 7 by computer control of the associated extruder.
  • the improved apparatus and method of the invention provides for the accurately controlled application of an outer layer of an elastomeric material onto the surface of a continuously produced tubular extrudate to provide a smooth, preferably ramped initiation and cutoff of the outer layer with the extrudate, by the spacing relationship between a first tapered surface of an axially movable die ring and a conical surface of a fixed die pin for adjusting the size of the outer extrusion orifice, and by compensating for the pressure changes at the entrance of the outer extrusion orifice by a second tapered surface on the die ring which moves simultaneously with the axial movement of the first tapered surface.
  • the coextrusion apparatus and method is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device and method which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices and methods, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Tyre Moulding (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Appareil (1) de coextrusion destiné à faire varier le profil extérieur d'un extrudat globalement tubulaire (19), dans lequel l'appareil de coextrusion comporte des moyens à filière (38) pour former des orifices d'extrusion annulaire (10) et extérieur (18) pour former l'extrudat tubulaire, des premiers moyens (2, 35) pour former un canal d'écoulement extérieur (7A) pour amener un premier courant (7) de matière élastomérique à l'orifice d'extrusion extérieur (18) des moyens à filière afin de former une couche extérieure (76) de l'extrudat tubulaire, et des second moyens (2, 29, 26) pour former un canal d'écoulement intérieur (6A) pour amener un second courant (6) de matière élastomérique à l'orifice d'extrusion intérieur des moyens à filière (38) afin de former une couche intérieure (75) de l'extrudat tubulaire (19) ; les moyens à filière de l'appareil comportent une bague extérieure (45) de filière mobile axialement et un élément intérieur (12) de filière pour former de façon réglable entre eux l'orifice d'extrusion extérieur (18) ; la bague extérieure (45) de filière présentant des première (48) et seconde (49) surfaces annulaires, ladite première surface annulaire (48) étant effilée de façon à correspondre globale- ment à une surface effilée (47) de l'élément intérieur (12) de la filière, de laquelle elle est espacée de façon globale- ment concentrique et avec laquelle elle forme l'orifice extérieur (18) d'extrusion, ladite seconde surface annulaire (49) communiquant avec le canal d'écoulement extérieur (7A) et des troisièmes moyens (53, 55, 56) destinés à déplacer axialement la bague extérieure (45) de filière par rapport à l'élément intérieur (12) de filière, caractérisé en ce que la filière extérieure d'extrusion est mobile de façon réglable pour faire varier l'écartement entre la bague extérieure de la filière et l'élément intérieur de la filière afin de modifier la quantité de matière élastomérique passant dans ledit orifice extérieur (18) pour modifier l'épaisseur du profil extérieur (77) de ladite couche extérieure (76), le mouvement axial de la seconde surface annulaire (49) en coordination avec celui de la première surface annulaire (48) modifiant la dimension du canal d'écoulement extérieur (7A) en relation avec la dimension changeante de l'orifice d'extrusion extérieur (18) pour réguler la pression dans le premier courant (7) de matière élastomérique passant dans ledit orifice extérieur (18) et formant la couche extérieure (76) de l'extrudat tubulaire (19), et en ce que le profil extérieur peut être appliqué en même temps que la formation du corps tubulaire.
  2. Appareil de coextrusion selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la première surface (48) de la bague extérieure (45) de la filière est globalement conique, converge vers l'élément intérieur (12) de la filière et aboutit dans la seconde surface annulaire (49), ladite seconde surface annulaire étant globalement conique et divergeant à partir dudit élément intérieur de la filière ; les angles d'effilement des première (48) et seconde (49) surfaces annulaires de la bague extérieure (45) de la filière étant globalement égaux entre eux.
  3. Appareil de coextrusion selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'un moyen (68) de détection de mouvement est connecté fonctionnellement à la bague extérieure (45) mobile axialement de la filière pour détecter l'amplitude d'un mouvement axial linéaire de ladite bague de filière afin de régler la dimension de la surface extérieure (18) d'extrusion.
  4. Appareil de coextrusion selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la bague extérieure (45), mobile axialement, de la filière est un piston ; et dans lequel les troisièmes moyens (53, 55, 56) comprennent une pression hydraulique pour déplacer de façon coulissante leurs première (48) et seconde (49) surfaces annulaires par rapport à l'élément intérieur (12) de la filière et au canal d'écoulement extérieur (7A).
  5. Appareil de coextrusion selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément intérieur (12) de la filière est un pointeau à tête (11) de forme globalement conique qui est disposée à peu près concentriquement dans la bague extérieure (45) de la filière pour former avec elle l'orifice extérieur (18) d'extrusion.
  6. Appareil de coextrusion selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que le pointeau (12) comprend une broche (30) qui supporte sa tête (11) de forme conique afin qu'elle soit globalement concentrique à l'intérieur de la bague extérieure (45) de la filière ; la broche (30) étant placée dans une partie intérieure creuse d'un tube (26) d'écoulement et définissant avec lui une partie (33) du canal d'écoulement intérieur (6A) pour amener le second courant (6) de matière élastomérique à l'orifice intérieur (10) d'extrusion afin de former la couche intérieure (75) de l'extrudat tubulaire (19) ; et dans lequel l'orifice intérieur (10) d'extrusion est situé en amont de l'orifice extérieur annulaire variable (18).
  7. Appareil de coextrusion selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la première surface (48) de la bague extérieure (45) de la filière et la surface effilée (47) de l'élément intérieur (12) de la filière sont globalement coniques et s'étendent à peu près parallèlement l'une à l'autre lorsque l'orifice extérieur d'extrusion est dans une position d'ouverture sensiblement complète ; dans lequel la bague extérieure (45) de la filière est annulaire et possède un axe central qui coïncide avec un axe central de l'extrudat tubulaire ; et dans lequel la première surface (48) de la bague extérieure de la filière et la surface effilée (47) de l'élément intérieur (12) de la filière convergent vers ledit axe central et vers l'amont par rapport au mouvement de l'extrudat tubulaire (19).
  8. Appareil de coextrusion selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la seconde surface annulaire effilée (49) forme une chambre (60) d'expansion dans le canal d'écoulement extérieur (7A) ; et dans lequel le volume de la chambre d'expansion varie en relation directe avec la variation de volume de l'orifice extérieur (18) d'extrusion à la suite d'un mouvement de la bague (45) de la filière pour maintenir une pression globalement constante dans le courant de matière élastomérique passant dans l'orifice extérieur (18) d'extrusion.
  9. Procédé pour former un extrudat globalement tubulaire (19), le procédé consistant à produire un courant extérieur creux, annulaire, commandé indépendamment, de matière élastomérique se déplaçant axialement à l'intérieur d'une tête de coextrusion, et à produire un courant intérieur (6) de matière élastomérique à l'intérieur de ladite tête de coextrusion, qui fusionne avec le courant extérieur pour former l'extrudat tubulaire, à former un orifice annulaire extérieur (18) d'extrusion dans lequel passe le courant extérieur de matière élastomérique pour former l'extrudat tubulaire au moyen d'une bague extérieure rigide (45) de filière mobile axialement ; le procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à déplacer de façon réglable la filière extérieure d'extrusion pour faire varier l'épaisseur du profil extérieur pendant l'extrusion et à appliquer le profil extérieur simultanément à la formation du corps tubulaire,
       à déplacer axialement la bague extérieure de la filière pour faire varier la dimension de l'orifice d'extrusion afin de faire varier la quantité de matière élastomérique passant dans l'orifice d'extrusion à partir du courant extérieur (7) pour faire varier le profil extérieur de l'extrudat ; et à compenser en continu une variation de pression dans le courant extérieur de matière élastomérique, provoquée par une variation du volume d'écoulement dudit courant extérieur en un emplacement globalement adjacent à l'emplacement d'application dudit courant extérieur sur la surface extérieure de l'extrudat tubulaire.
  10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste en outre à produire en continu le courant extérieur de matière élastomérique qui rejoint le courant intérieur de matière élastomérique pour former l'extrudat tubulaire et à faire varier par intermittence l'épaisseur du courant extérieur par un mouvement axial de la bague extérieure de filière pour faire varier le profil extérieur (77) dudit extrudat tubulaire.
EP91111300A 1990-07-24 1991-07-06 Dispositif de coextrusion et procédé utilisant une filière rigide pour faire varier le profil extérieur d'un extrudat tubulaire Expired - Lifetime EP0468260B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/557,378 US5069850A (en) 1990-07-24 1990-07-24 Coextrusion apparatus and method using a rigid die for varying the outer profile of a tubular extrudate
US557378 2000-04-25

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0468260A2 EP0468260A2 (fr) 1992-01-29
EP0468260A3 EP0468260A3 (en) 1992-04-29
EP0468260B1 true EP0468260B1 (fr) 1994-06-01

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EP91111300A Expired - Lifetime EP0468260B1 (fr) 1990-07-24 1991-07-06 Dispositif de coextrusion et procédé utilisant une filière rigide pour faire varier le profil extérieur d'un extrudat tubulaire

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US (1) US5069850A (fr)
EP (1) EP0468260B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3157858B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE69102219T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2053244T3 (fr)

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Also Published As

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JP3157858B2 (ja) 2001-04-16
DE69102219D1 (de) 1994-07-07
DE69102219T2 (de) 1994-09-15
JPH04226324A (ja) 1992-08-17
EP0468260A2 (fr) 1992-01-29
ES2053244T3 (es) 1994-07-16
US5069850A (en) 1991-12-03
EP0468260A3 (en) 1992-04-29

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